Rumor in the Early Chinese Empires

This is the first English translation of Lu Zongli's study of how rumor formed and spread through non-official channels in early Chinese history. Utilising popular songs, mythology and prophetic texts, Lu explores rumors in all their diverse forms, dissecting their nature, function and implications for politics and culture.

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This is the first English translation of Lu Zongli's major study of rumor in the early Chinese empires. Lu explores how rumor, a non-official form of public opinion, formed and spread through non-official channels of early Chinese history. In this careful investigation, Lu utilizes sources concerning dynastic politics, popular songs, mythology and prophetic texts, dissecting the nature, function and impact of rumor on politics and culture. His work demonstrates the ways that historians can examine views outside of mainstream thinking, interpret group mentality and try to understand the atmosphere of a specific moment in history.